FitSugar

FREE Sample Alert: Alavert Allergy Medication

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:30:00 PDT

It's FREE sample alert time again and this time it's allergy medication. I'd say it's very appropriate since this is one of the worst allergy seasons ever.

Alavert, the makers of the quick-dissolving tablets that melt in your mouth and provide non-drowsy, 24-hour allergy relief are offering FREE samples right now. They come in two flavors - Original Mint and Citrus Burst. Personally, I like to keep some form of allergy relief in my purse in case I have a run in with a cat (or blossoming tree for that matter) -- Sample sized Alavert tabs are perfect for just that, especially since water is not needed to take Alavert.

To get your free samples, just visit here and fill out the information along with answering two questions on your current allergy medication preference. It's super quick, I promise.

The Truth About the Health Benefits of Tea

Health — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:13:17 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

Tea - does it really fight cancer? Lower cholesterol? We filter the research to find out which health claims actually hold water.
By Kate Lowenstein

The way scientific studies and health gurus alike have touted the perks of tea over the past few years, you'd think the stuff was some kind of all-powerful magical elixir. Improving heart health, reducing cancer risk, warding off dementia and diabetes - there's barely a health benefit that hasn't been credited to tea. It's true that the brew has disease-fighting antioxidants, and, as far as anyone can tell, should be great for us.

"The science is certainly promising," says David L. Katz, MD, director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center. "But the hype goes beyond it and tends to make promises which the science can't yet deliver." (No, tea probably will not cure depression, eliminate allergies, or boost your fertility!) We talked to the experts and weighed the studies to separate the truth from the hype.

Health.com: Drink This Tea to Lose That Belly

Why tea is so hot
First, a definition: When scientists talk about tea, they mean black, green, white, or oolong teas - all of which are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal brews, like chamomile and peppermint, are not technically considered tea; they're infusions of other plants with different nutritional characteristics. If you're not sure what kind you're drinking, check the ingredients for the word "tea."

Keep reading to learn even more about tea.

How to Put Good Bacteria Back in Your Gut With Food

Heather Dale — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:13:36 PST

A healthy gut is a happy gut. To keep your intestinal tract in optimal working order, it needs lots of "good" bacteria - no, that is not an oxymoron! There are only three types of basic bacteria in our digestive systems, so boosting the "friendly bacteria" with probiotics can help balance the pH of the intestinal tract, creating a less desirable environment for pathogenic bacteria (the bad stuff). Research has shown that probiotics can help in the battle against a wide variety of medical conditions including: allergies, cholesterol (it helps raise the good kind), colon cancer, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea. Probiotics can also boost your immune system, which is especially important during cold and flu season.

Today, probiotic supplements - which often contain members of the lactobacillus and bifidobacterium groups of bacteria - are popular, but unfortunately many of these supplements fall short on bacteria content. But with the help of a few common foods, we can increase the number of beneficial bacteria in our digestive tracts and skip the supplements altogether. Learn these foods when you keep reading.

3 Throat-Soothing Herbal Teas

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:51:09 PDT

If you find yourself suffering from a scratchy, sore throat, take comfort in the herbs astragalus, licorice root, and elm bark, which have a soothing effect on throat and respiratory issues. While the medical properties of these herbs have not undergone extensive scientific research, they have been brewed as healing teas for centuries and are mainstays in the alternative medicine community. Their natural sweetness, earthy scent, and slippery texture are pleasant, soothing, and worth trying out when colds strike.

Astragalus

What is it: Dr. Weil recommends taking astragalus, a sweet-tasting Chinese root which has immune boosting properties and helps soothe sore throats and bronchial infection.
Where to try it: Astragalus Immunity Tea ($6)
What scientists think: While the root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, no detailed, Western clinical trials have been done to prove or dispute its benefits for throat and respiratory issues. (Studies have shown astragalus to be helpful in reducing symptoms related to seasonal allergies.) Astragalus is also traditionally taken with ginseng, angelica, and licorice.

See more throat-soothing teas.

Are You Allergic to Wi-Fi? Strange New Illness With Even Stranger Cure

Yahoo Shine — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:56:46 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Yahoo! Shine:

What is this now? An acute Wi-Fi allergy is plaguing five percent of Americans? EHS, or Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity, is a condition defined by headaches, muscle spasms, burning skin and chronic pain.

The cause: over-exposure to mobile phones, wireless internet and the satellites and cell phone towers that keep them pumping.

One sufferer, Diane Schou, described her symptoms to the BBC this way: "My face turns red, I get a headache, my vision changes, and it hurts to think. Last time [I was exposed] I started getting chest pains - and to me that's becoming life-threatening."

To alleviate her discomfort, her husband built her "radio-wave resistant" wooden cage lined in wire mesh to sleep in. When that didn't work, she moved from her Iowa farmhouse to Green Bank, West Virginia. Population 143.

For 13,000 square miles around the town wireless networks are obsolete. The Radio Quiet Zone was originally designed for scientific research, but it's becoming a haven for EHS refugees.

Come on, is this really about radio waves and electromagnetic frequencies?

5 Things Moms Should Warn the Babysitter About

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:15:05 PDT

It can be terrifying to leave the children alone with a babysitter. Anything can happen, but sometimes parents go overboard with their helicopter parenting. It's time mom enjoyed her night out, and left her worries behind. Before heading out for a girls' night out, or a date night, see our list of necessary warnings, so mama can feel safer leaving her kids at home.

5 Things to Warn Your Babysitter About:

Ground Rules – Every family has some, especially when it comes to food, bedtime, and behavior. Kids will try to convince their babysitter otherwise, so be sure to make your stance clear.
Any Requests – Clearly state your expectations like bathing the kids, tidying up the kitchen after dinner, and not allowing any guests. These seem pretty obvious, but it's always better to communicate your requests rather than assume they will be followed.
Special Requirements – Beyond obvious health warnings like food allergies or prescribed medications, many children require certain attention. Let the sitter know what to expect, like if Tommy is still potty training or Susie needs a back rub to fall asleep.
Complicated Technology – This includes, but is not limited to, cable boxes, surround sound, microwaves, and security alarms. Provide simple, but detailed instructions so the babysitter does not run into any issues or reprogram your systems.
Contagious Illnesses or Changes in Plan – If your child is sick, be sure to call the babysitter to check and see if they are still comfortable babysitting. Your babysitter might resent you and refuse to babysit again if you aren't honest about contagious illnesses to which they will be exposed. Also, as a courtesy, be sure to call if you plan on getting in late.

Keep reading to see what parents should let go.

Allergies and Exercise: Prevent, Avoid, and Relieve Those Sniffles

FitSugar — Fri, 20 May 2011 09:06:10 PDT

The chorus of sneezes and sniffles says it loud and clear: allergy season has arrived. But while warmer weather makes us want to lace up our shoes and hightail it outside, if you suffer from seasonal allergies doing so may make you miserable and unable to finish your workout. Here are some tips for preventing, avoiding, or relieving allergies during your exercise routine.

Prevent: Before exercising outdoors, you can do a few things to help make constant sneezy and itchy eyes a distant memory. While allergy medication may be the best option for many, you can also try these easy natural remedies, like changing out of your exercise clothes as soon as you get home or eating a tablespoon of local honey in order to alleviate and prevent allergy symptoms from returning.
Avoid: An indoor workout may be best when pollen levels are highest. Also, finding out what you're exactly allergic to will help you decide when it's OK to go for a run outside, but in general you may want to avoid morning workouts, since pollen levels peak from 5 a.m until around noon.
Relieve: Feeling congested from your seasonal allergies? Break a sweat (inside). Warming up your body, whether through a hot yoga or intense cardio, helps clear out your sinuses and decreases congestion.

From Medical Records to Credit Card Accounts: Store Your Personal Info in One Place

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:15:24 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

In today’s day and age, many of us have traded in our little black books for little black Blackberries-but, regardless, these troves of information should contain more than the phone numbers of old high school crushes and college flings. The last time you needed your passport number or vaccination history, did you have it on hand? Are your bank passwords taped to your computer, in full view of hackers-to-be? We at LearnVest have re-envisioned the little black book, and we invite you to take the plunge: You should have a command center that contains every piece of necessary information you might need. We’ll help you set it up.

Your Financial Life . . . In One Place

All of your financial info should be stored somewhere safe, secure, and easy for you-and only you-to get to. We’re fans of Wallet (for Mac and iPhone), which is basically a password-protected database that has fields where you can enter your account name, password, and any relevant info. Alternately, check out the similar Clipperz or Passpack. If you’re attached to that old school black Moleskine notebook, just make sure to include all of your pertinent info and hide the book in a safe, secure place where you’ll be able to find it again. Know where to find the following:

Bank account numbers.
Login names, passwords, and bookmarked web addresses for all financial accounts.
Account numbers for your 401(k) or IRA.
Contact information for your company’s human resources department or retirement account administrator.
Your Social Security number.
Birth certificate.
Home and auto insurance policy numbers and contact info.
Credit card numbers (stored separately from your cards).
A copy of your driver’s license and passport.
Frequent flyer numbers.

Read after the jump for more tips to organize your personal information.

Buying Prescriptions Online: Is It Safe?

LearnVest — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:15:44 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll.

There isn’t anything you can’t get on the internet anymore–and for a lot less (though we’ll take our chances on the last of the trio before the other two).

As for the drugs (doctor-approved, not the other kind), prescription medications can really add up, so it’s no wonder that online pharmacies have grown in popularity over the past ten years.

Granted, shopping at an online pharmacy sounds dodgy because it’s harder to get a sense of who’s dealing. And some suspicion is warranted: In 2010, the production and selling of counterfeit drugs was estimated to be a $75 billion industry.

But, there are also a number of safe online pharmacies that will process prescriptions and deliver medications to your door, many of which offer legitimate discounts (especially if you’re willing to buy generic).

Buying drugs online can be a great way to save money on prescriptions, as long as you do it responsibly. Here’s what you need to know.

DrSugar: Could I Be Allergic to Exercise?

DrSugar — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:42:42 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's tackling a reader suffering from an allergic reaction to exercise.

Dear Dr. Sugar,
I work out regularly, but I have had a sort of reaction during my last two intense cardio workouts. My face turns bright red; I wheeze slightly, cough, and my eyes and nose itch. I have to stop and rest, but the symptoms go away after about 30 minutes. The symptoms seem to be similar to a food allergy, however I work out first thing in the morning and only have coffee before starting. What could be the cause of this reaction and how can I avoid it?
- Not Seeking a Workout Excuse, I Swear

Thank you for asking such an interesting question! Your symptoms that are brought on by exercise are actually quite concerning (especially the respiratory symptoms - cough and wheezing). I am glad that you stop and rest when these symptoms appear, as they could be a sign of possible allergic reaction to exercise. Yes, that's right, although rare, some people have an allergic response to exercise or physical exertion and their symptoms can range from a hives-like rash to a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

Allergic symptoms from physical exertion are called "exercise-induced anaphylaxis," according to Medscape. The most common symptoms present with this condition are itching, hives, angioedema (swelling of the eyes, lips, throat, hands, or feet), flushing, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, chest tightness, passing out (syncope), profuse sweating, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), and choking, throat constriction, or hoarseness of the voice. Symptoms may occur at any stage of exercise, and stopping the exercise typically resolves the symptoms. However, Medscape does note that some people continue to have serious symptoms even after they stop exercising.

Learn more about an exercise-induced allergic reaction after the break!